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Sep 23, 2026
Prague Taxi Drivers Could Be Tested on Czech and Local Geography
Prague Morning
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Prague taxi drivers could soon be required to demonstrate their knowledge of Czech and the city’s geography.
The Chamber of Deputies approved the change on Wednesday as part of an amendment to the Road Traffic Act. The legislation does not automatically introduce testing in Prague or other Czech cities. Instead, it would give municipalities the authority to impose such requirements.
Under the amendment, municipalities could test taxi drivers on their legal rights and obligations, their Czech language skills to the extent necessary for the job, and their knowledge of locations within the municipality that are relevant to taxi services.
The bill now goes to the Senate.
What the new rules could mean for taxi drivers
The issue has been debated in Prague for some time, particularly as the taxi industry has changed with the rapid growth of app-based services.
Pirate Party leader Zdeněk Hřib introduced a more detailed proposal in May. That version included specific provisions defining what drivers could be required to know and what would fall outside the scope of the tests.
For example, the proposal said drivers should not be expected to demonstrate encyclopedic knowledge of Prague’s landmarks. Transport Minister Ivan Bednárik of the SPD, however, argued that the Pirate Party’s proposal had legal shortcomings.
A shorter amendment submitted by ANO MP Patrik Nacher ultimately became the version approved by the Chamber of Deputies.
Supporters of the change say taxi driving has increasingly become a profession with few formal qualification requirements beyond holding a driving licence.
The explanatory report accompanying the legislation argues that the sector has attracted foreign workers who may have limited knowledge of Czech, local traffic rules and the city in which they operate.
Critics, meanwhile, have raised concerns about the potential impact on fares. They argue that additional requirements could increase the cost of entering the profession and eventually lead to higher prices for passengers.
No English requirement in the legislation
The approved amendment refers specifically to knowledge of the Czech language. It does not introduce an English-language requirement, even though some taxi drivers in Prague also have limited English skills.
The legislation would apply to taxi drivers regardless of whether they operate independently or through digital platforms such as Uber and Bolt.
Foreign nationals make up roughly half of Prague’s registered taxi drivers, reflecting the sector’s long-standing reliance on foreign workers and recently arrived migrants.
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